A female-only night-time patrol team has launched in Barnsley to make women feel safer on nights out.
The ‘Night Angels’ are employed by local security company Doyle Security and are tasked with protecting women from attacks in the city on Saturday nights.
The deployment of the Night Angels appears more crucial than ever as recent data from the Office of National Statistics shows that 4,538 sexual offences were recorded by South Yorkshire Police in the year to December 2022, a record high since equivalent records began.
They operate between 10pm and 4am and ensure any potentially vulnerable girls get home safely and aren’t left to fend for themselves should they encounter any trouble.
The scheme, which launched in January this year, has been funded by the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, receiving £10,000 as part of the Barnsley Community Safety Partnership.
Speaking about the scheme, head of the VRU and South Yorkshire Police and Crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings said “The idea of the night angels is that, unlike others who might be out on the street, these are people who have all had blue light experience, so they know what they are doing when there is a crisis going on and they understand the nighttime economy.
“So far it’s looking good. According to the stats I’ve seen they have had 102 vulnerable young females who they spoke to or interacted with, which is quite a lot actually.
“We are very pleased with what they’ve done and that’s why we’re anxious to fund them for a full year and see what the full year effect is.”
Dr Billings stressed how preventing violence against women is a top priority in South Yorkshire. He added: “We want to have more in place to help young women if we possibly can, and this is one of those initiatives.
“I think the last thing sometimes people want to see is a police uniform, but they do want to see a friendly face with a helping hand, so that’s why these night angles are important.”
The presence of the Night Angels has been welcomed by many, with one Sheffield student wishing a similar unit was available in Sheffield.
Chloe Kelly, 19, says more often than not, she doesn’t feel safe when clubbing in the city centre, and recalls one incident where she fell victim to unwarranted attention from an unknown man in a bar.
She said, “I can remember there was one occasion on West Street where a man was recording me and a group of my friends inappropriately in Molly Malones. He was kicked out by staff, but I was still left feeling very uncomfortable.
“As a woman there’s always the stress of making sure you’re okay and the girls you are with are too. If there were night angels in Sheffield, like in Barnsley, I think it would definitely make me feel safer. I think it’s a very good idea.”